Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate..

Sounders Stay Calm In Overcoming Rapids

There were two big questions going into yesterday’s game. First was how would the fans react to the return of Brian Mullan. The second was whether some of the injured Sounders would be returning to the pitch. As to the first question, Mullan received the fan boos you’d expect whenever he touched the ball. And of course enthusiastic applause when he received a yellow card for a tackle on Osvaldo Alonso late in the game. But other than his disallowed goal for being off sides Mullan was not much of a factor in this game.

As to the second question, not only did we not see the return of Mauro Rosales and Adam Johannson, but just before game time it was announced that Alvaro Fernandez was injured in practice, just adding to the long list of players out of action.

Coach Sigi Schmid did what he’s had to do so many times already this young season, go to his bench in search of help. Alex Caskey, the 23 year old who followed the same path to the Sounders from the Charleston Battery blazed by Lamar Neagle the previous year, was inserted into Fernandez’ spot on the left wing. David Estrada moved from the striker position to fill Rosales’ spot on the right wing. And Eddie Johnson, one of the few Sounders coming off the injured list, made the start up top with Fredy Montero. And Zach Scott continued to hold down the right back position for injured Adam Johannson.

Even with the addition of some new faces in the starting eleven, and other players shifting to new positions, the Sounders continued to play the style of soccer we’ve become accustomed to from coach Schmid. The statistics can be a bit misleading when they show the Rapids maintaining nearly 60% possession. Most of that can be accounted for in the Colorado players passing the ball back and forth in their third of the field. Seattle dominated the middle of the field, primarily due to Osvaldo Alonso’s impressive play. When he’s on, and thank goodness, that’s more often than not, there really isn’t a better defensive midfielder in MLS. And yesterday Alonso was helped by Fredy Montero who, despite not having scored yet this season, is probably playing better, and a more complete game than he ever has as a Sounder. Montero was aggressive and energetic the entire time he was on the field. And despite a lot of nipping at his ankles, and shoves from behind by Colorado players Montero stayed calm and in control. The four attempts on goal by the Rapids, compared to the Sounders eighteen show you how rare it was for Colorado to get into the Sounders third of the field.

Getting his first start of the season Alex Caskey looked pretty good. He can control the ball, passes well, and has a really nice touch on set piece delivery. He served up several corner kicks in great position for the Sounders to score. Eventually connecting with Zach Scott who got his head on the ball for the games only score in the 63rd minute. Here’s hoping that Alex Caskey can have a breakout season like his predecessor Lamar Neagle.

It was good to see Eddie Johnson get his first MLS start. He does seem comfortable playing with his back to the goal, and he has a nice touch on his passes. However it may take a few games for him to get in complete sync with his teammates. There is definitely some talent there, it just wasn’t consistently on display, consequently Johnson didn’t have a huge impact on yesterday’s game.

Despite some mystifying officiating from Baldomero Toledo the Sounders stayed calm and focused on executing their game plan. Working the ball up the field, and passing around in an attempt to break down the opponents defense. And when they lost possession everyone pitches in on defense to kill the attack and win the ball back. This has become the trademark style of the Sounders. It’s fun to watch, and it’s winning games.

So the Sounders now sit on 10 points from 5 games which, given all of the injuries they’ve had to deal with, is a testament to the depth of talent on the team. They now have two weeks off before traveling to Chicago, which should provide time for many on the injured list to get back to health. As well as they’ve played the first five games, winning 3, giving up only 2 goals, it will be fun to see how well they can play with some of their key starters back in the lineup. Defense is key to success, and right now there is only one team that has given up less goals than Seattle, and the Sounders will play that team, Sporting KC on June 20th. If the defense can stay solid the Sounders will be able to capitalize when their offense really catches fire, which may be in Chicago on the 28th.

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate..

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Simon MoyseBorn in London, Simon joined the Emerald City Supporters after he moved to Snohomish in 2004. He watches games with his son Elliott.